Asked by betty
SEP Explain Phenomena Why is the water of Blood Falls red in color? What chemical compound gives the water its red color?
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Blood Falls is red because iron-rich, anoxic brine seeping out from under Taylor Glacier oxidizes when it meets the air and precipitates iron oxides (essentially “rust”), which color the water.
The dissolved iron in the subglacial water is mostly ferrous iron (Fe2+). On exposure to oxygen it is oxidized to ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms hydrated iron(III) oxides/hydroxides — common forms are rust-like compounds such as iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3), iron oxyhydroxide (FeO(OH), goethite) and ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH)3). A simple net reaction is:
4 Fe2+ + O2 + 6 H2O → 4 Fe(OH)3 (↓)
The fine particles of these ferric oxides/hydroxides give Blood Falls its red color. Microbial activity in the subglacial environment helps generate and keep iron in the reduced (Fe2+) form before it emerges.
The dissolved iron in the subglacial water is mostly ferrous iron (Fe2+). On exposure to oxygen it is oxidized to ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms hydrated iron(III) oxides/hydroxides — common forms are rust-like compounds such as iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3), iron oxyhydroxide (FeO(OH), goethite) and ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH)3). A simple net reaction is:
4 Fe2+ + O2 + 6 H2O → 4 Fe(OH)3 (↓)
The fine particles of these ferric oxides/hydroxides give Blood Falls its red color. Microbial activity in the subglacial environment helps generate and keep iron in the reduced (Fe2+) form before it emerges.
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